The seminar brought together 62 participants (22 women) from various institutions including the Secretariat for Security, the Secretariat of Defence, the Presidency of the Republic, the National Assembly, civil society organizations, private security companies and shooting sports associations. The seminar was presided over by the Minister of Security Pompeyo Bonilla, while the Honourable Deputy Mario Pérez, President of the Security Commission of the National Congress, moderated the open discussions.

During the seminar, UNLIREC presented a legal report on the draft law vis a vis the international instruments in the global and regional contexts and the International Small Arms Control Standards. It is worth mentioning that this draft bill has been revised and agreed upon by the security and defence sectors of the Government as well as civil society organizations, and is currently awaiting government approval in the National Congress.

The Deputies will have to deliberate and come to a consensus on positions regarding controversial issues, such as the number of licenses and firearms per person and the possession and carrying of these weapons; the minimum age limit for obtaining a firearms license; calibres authorized for civil use and calibres restricted for use by law enforcement authorities; the organization and functioning of ballistic records; and stricter controls for private security companies and their firearms, among others. The draft bill is expected to be debated in the National Congress in the coming weeks.